Lame-duck votes by Los Al council draw squawks

LOS ALAMITOS – The new council will be sworn in Monday night. But only after the old council takes care of some city business.

And that has some local activists fuming.

"Why are they doing this? They've never done it this way before," said Dave Emerson, who publishes a local blog, letsfixlosal.com. "It's a slap in the office to the voters and the new council."

Usually, the old council certifies the election, the new council is sworn in and there's a small reception with a round of plaques, thank-you's and congratulations. Then, the new council handles city business.

In this case, the agenda calls for the old council to handle 14 items the city placed on a "consent calendar," which are items that in most cities are slated for a vote with no discussion.

The consent items include staff pay raises and budget and zoning issues.

"Why on earth is the council that has been voted out dealing with these?" Emerson said Sunday. "And then they put that stuff under consent, when it's normally not on the consent calendar."

Richard Murphy and Dean Grose are to be sworn in Monday night. They will replace Councilman Ken Stephens, who lost his re-election bid, and Councilwoman Marilynn Poe, who did not seek re-election.

Mayor Troy Edgar, who will remain on the council, was not available for comment Sunday.

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